Abortion by Telehealth
Teleabortion Services
Abortion by Telehealth
Your Choice, Your Call
You can choose to have a medical abortion at home.
You can choose to take the abortion pills in the privacy of your home, at a time that suits you.
This option is available for most women up to 9 weeks gestation.
You have your consultations by phone. There is no need to attend a clinic or hospital.
Abortion by Telehealth
Your Choice, Your Call
You can choose to have a medical abortion at home.
You can choose to take abortion pills at home at a time that suits you.
This option is available for most women up to 9 weeks gestation.
You have your consultations by phone. There is no need to attend a clinic or hospital.
We usually have next-day appointments available for Abortion by Telehealth.
During your first telehealth consultation, the need for an ultrasound scan will be assessed.
Sometimes, you may be able to have a medical abortion without needing a scan. This can save time and money and you may be able to proceed more quickly to your second consultation.
Following your second telehealth consultation, you can choose to be sent an eScript so you can go to a pharmacy to get your medications, or we can arrange priority delivery of the medications to your home or preferred address.
We have been providing Abortion by Telehealth for 10 years, and are the most experienced provider in Australia.
Our team of doctors, nurses, midwives and support staff are experts in providing abortion care.
We are committed to providing kind, reliable, non-judgemental healthcare.
During your first telehealth consultation, the need for an ultrasound scan will be assessed. Sometimes, you may be able to have a medical abortion without needing a scan. This can save time and money and you may be able to proceed more quickly to your second consultation.
Following your second telehealth consultation, you can choose to be sent an eScript so you can go to a pharmacy to get your medications, or we can arrange priority delivery of the medications to your home or preferred address.
We have been providing Abortion by Telehealth for 10 years, and are the most experienced provider in Australia.
Our team of doctors, nurses, midwives and support staff are experts in providing abortion care.
We are committed to providing kind, reliable, non-judgemental healthcare.
Specialised care and estimated costs
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- Two clinical consultations by phone
- Referrals for an ultrasound or blood tests, if required
- eScripts for abortion, pain relief and nausea medications or priority delivery of medications to your home
- A special urine test kit to check the treatment worked, if required
- Access to our specialised support team and follow up
Use our cost estimator to check your costs.
Most women who choose to have an abortion by telehealth have Medicare, require an ultrasound and choose to pick up the medications from a pharmacy.
For this option, the estimated out-of-pocket cost of specialised care is $304.60, after Medicare rebates are processed.
Keep in mind the upfront cost prior to your first consultation will be $100 and prior to the second consultation will be $374.40.
Medicare rebates will be processed after your consultations.
If you have a Health Care Card, your cost will be slightly lower.
If you do not have Medicare, your cost will be much higher. We may be able to provide you financial support, please call us on 1300 003 707.
Check your options using our cost estimator.
Abortion by Telehealth treatment and aftercare booklet
This booklet will give you information about what to expect during treatment and provide advice for your recovery after a medical abortion. It is important that you read this information.
How does Abortion by Telehealth work
A medical abortion uses medication to end a pregnancy. This involves taking two types of medication at two different times. Medical abortion is is a very safe treatment option for up to 9 weeks of pregnancy for most people.
To read full and detailed information about the process, please read our Abortion by Telehealth clinical booklet.
We have outlined some of the eligibility criteria and what to expect during your treatment below.
You may be eligible for a medical abortion by telehealth if you:
- Are over 16 years of age
- Live within 2 hours of 24/7 emergency medical care such as a hospital emergency department
- Can understand and speak English (interpreter unavailable for this service)
- Have access to the internet
- Are no more than 9 weeks pregnant (63 days) at the time of your treatment*
*The first medication must be taken before 9 weeks 0 days (63 days) gestation. Please consider this when booking, as you need to allow time to have the two telehealth consultations, scans if required, and get the medications from a pharmacy or have them delivered. This process may take up to 1 week to complete, depending on services in your area.
- You have a first phone consultation with one of our experienced doctors for an assessment, to discuss the medical abortion process, including any tests required, and to answer your questions.
- In some cases, no ultrasound is needed and you will proceed to the second consultation. If an ultrasound is required or preferred, we will send you a form to take to the nearest imaging provider.
- You then have a second consultation to review the medical abortion process, get your consent and prescribe the medication. If you have had an ultrasound we need to receive the report before this consultation.
- You have the option of having eScripts sent to you to pick up from a local pharmacy, or having the abortion medication delivered to you, within 1-3 business days. We also prescribe pain and nausea medication.
- You take the medication at home.
It is essential to make sure the medical abortion has worked.
- You will either have a blood test before and after taking the medication, or you will be given a specialised urine test kit to use at home. The test should be done no earlier than 14 days after you have taken the abortion medication. You will be given an instruction sheet to help with this.
- You will complete some self-assessment questions. You should call us on 1300 003 707 if you have any concerns.
- If you need further assessment we may refer you for blood tests or an ultrasound, make an appointment for you at one of our clinics (if convenient) or ask you to see your local health practitioner.
What kind of abortion can I have?
We provide medical abortion, surgical abortion and abortion by telehealth. To check which options are available to you, use our gestation calculator by entering the first date of your last period. This will provide you with a gestation estimate in weeks and days, and also provides information on which abortion options are available to you and the estimated cost of each option.
We understand you may have more questions about the process so we have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions we receive about Abortion by Telehealth, you can read them here.
Contact our friendly staff
Make an abortion appointment, suited to your needs
How does Abortion by Telehealth work?
Abortion by Telehealth is where you have consultations with a doctor over the phone instead of coming to a clinic. You then have the option of picking up the abortion medications from a local pharmacy or having them delivered to your preferred address.
How is my pregnancy calculated?
Gestation is estimated by counting the days from the first day of your last period. Irregular periods and other factors may make this less reliable. The confirmed gestation after an ultrasound may provide a different result.
Do I need to have an ultrasound?
In some cases, no ultrasound is needed. During your first consultation, the doctor will discuss whether this a safe option for you. If you do need an ultrasound, we email you a form to have this done close to home.
Do I need a referral from my doctor to get an Abortion by Telehealth?
You do not need a referral to access our Abortion by Telehealth services.
How can I schedule an Abortion by Telehealth appointment?
You can book online or call 1300 003 707.
Where can I receive an Abortion by Telehealth services?
Can I access Abortion by Telehealth if I live in a remote area?
You must stay within 2 hours drive to 24-hour emergency medical care for the first 3 or 4 days after taking the medication. You need to be able to access a doctor, hospital or one of our clinics until the process is complete. Do not travel overseas until we have confirmed the abortion is complete.
What are the advantages of Abortion by Telehealth?
Abortion by Telehealth provides a safe, private, and convenient option for terminating early pregnancies from home. It avoids the need for clinic visits and doesn’t need referral, making the process more comfortable and accessible.
Is Abortion by Telehealth safe?
Having a medical abortion by telehealth has no more risk than attending a clinic. Medical abortion is very safe, but like any medical treatment, has some risks. These risks do not include all complications, but are the most common or serious.
Am I eligible for Abortion by Telehealth?
To ensure your safety and wellbeing you’ll be guided through the brief eligibility assessment before proceeding with your booking. This will involve a few questions and will take approximately 2 to 3 minutes to complete.
Can I pick up my abortion medication from a local pharmacy?
Yes, any pharmacy can supply the medication but not all pharmacies keep it in stock, so it may take a day or two to get in. The doctor can give you the name of the medication during your first consultation, if you want to plan ahead. After your second consultation, you will be sent an eScript to take to your local pharmacy where you will pay and receive the medication.
How does the delivery option work?
The medications will be delivered in discreet plain packaging by StarTrack courier to your preferred address, usually within 1 to 3 business days. PO boxes cannot be used as you or a nominated recipient will need to be at the delivery address to sign for the package. You’ll need to confirm the address and any nominated recipient before your second doctor’s consultation. If no one is present to sign for the package, it will be taken to the nearest collection point and the courier will leave a card with instructions for collection. The pharmacy will SMS your tracking number once your medication is dispatched.
What happens in case of complications?
In case of complications, you are encouraged to call our free nursing support line on 1300 888 022 on weekdays from 8 am to 5 pm AEST/AEDT. For 24/7 assistance, Health Direct (call 1800 022 222) is available. Alternatively, you can contact your GP or visit the local hospital.
What happens if the Abortion by Telehealth doesn’t work?
If the treatment doesn’t work, you may require repeat medication or a surgical procedure. We will work with you to arrange a surgical procedure if needed.
How can I get a medical certificate/carer’s certificate?
The doctor can email this to you after your second consultation. If you aren’t sure of the dates at this appointment you can email the telehealth team at a later date – telehealth@msiaustralia.org.au.
If you have any other questions, please get in touch.